
Oass 



Book Lfsk. 



ANNIVERSARY ORATION. 



DELIVERED 



BEFORE THE FACULTY AND STUDENTS 



OF THE 



UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, 



February 23d, 1830. 



-z^ 



BY RICHARD KEVVTON, .In 

Member of tho Senior Class, 



PRIATED BY WILLIAM F. GEDDES, No. 9 LIBRARY STREET. 

1830. 



ANNIVERSARY ORATION. 



DELIVERED 



BEFORE THE FACULTY AND STUDENTS 



OF THE 



3^^ 



UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, 



February 23d, 1836. 



.. y 

BY RICHARD NEWTON, Jr, 

Member of the Senior Class. 



PRINTED BY WILLIAM F. GEDDES, No. 9 LIBRARY STREET, 

1836. 



.IV 5"^ 



Universify of Pennsylvania, Feb. 23</, 1 836. 
Dear Sir, — As a committee of the College Classes, we return you their thanks for the 
very eloquent and appropriate oration dehvered before them yesterday morning and 
request a copy of the same for publication. 

Yours truly, 

C. CAZENOVE GARDNER, 
GEORGE L. BUZBY, 
JOSIAH P. TUSTIN, 
EDMUND GRAFF. 
RICHARD NEWTON, Jr. Esq. 

Philadelphia, Feb. 2ith, 1836. 
Gentlemen, — I cannot but feel highly honoured at the favorable manner in which my 
fellow students have been pleased to receive the feeble effort of one of their number, 
on the 22nd inst. Nothing was farther from my thoughts at the time of preparing 
that address, than that it would exist beyond the moment of its birth, or, ever appear 
beyond the walls of the hall in which it was delivered. 

But as you have been pleased to manifest a desire to the contrary, I feel constrained, 
Gentlemen, to yield to your superior judgment, and comply with the wish expressed 
in your commimication. 

I am with much Respect, 

Yours truly, 

RICHARD NEWTON, Jr. 
C. Cazenove Gardner, George L. Buzby, 
Josiah P. Tustin, Edmund Graff, Esquires. 



ORATION. 



Fellow Student?, 

In rising to address you on an occasion like the present, I 
cannot divest myself of feelings of embarrassment. A know- 
ledge of the inherent fondness of our nature for new objects of 
pursuit, and new thenies of meditation — a remembrance that 
from lisping infancy the history of this day's celebration has been 
familiar to all — and a consciousness of my inabihty to present 
aught that has not been already long known, perhaps to every one 
who hears me — all combine to increase the embarrassment, and 
render less welcome, the otherwise pleasing duty of the speaker. 
Were the choice of a subject unrestrained the case would be dif- 
ferent. The imagination might then take wing, and either by 
soaring through the sublimer regions of Philosophy and Science, 
or by wandering through the humbler, though not less pleas- 
ing paths of Literature, might hope to gather something with 
whijh to entertain, if not instruct. As it is, however, I can but 
cast myself upon your patience, ftllow students, assured that 
however unworthy the honor of addressing you on the return of 
this memorable day, and however feeble and unsuccessful the at- 
tempt may be, a spirit of generous forbearance will be manifested, 
and the mantle of charity extended over every imperfection. 

Nothing can be more natural and proper than the purpose for 
which we are convened to-day. The practice of thus commemo- 
rating a great event, or perpetuating the memory of those from 
whom we have received signal services, comes to us not onlj' re- 
commended by the plainest principles of common sense^ ^ut sane- 



tioned also, by the most potent influence of antiquity. It has 
ever been the custom of nations. The traveller through our 
western wilds finds evidence of this on every hand, in the rising 
mounds, and rudely-finished monuments erected by those simple 
children of nature, the aborigines of the soil. The martial airs 
and minstrel lays of Scotland, the bards and songs of ancient 
Britain, the feasts and festivals of Rome, and the mouldering 
ruins of Greece, her broken statues, and her prostrate columns, 
those mournful relics of her former glory, all bear witness to the 
same fact. We are bound by a principle of our nature, as by a 
magic power, to revere those in whom we see, or imagine we 
see, elements of character, superior to the majority of mankind. 
We are instructed too by nature, to cherish that reverence, and 
extend the influence of such characters, even after they have 
passed away from earth, by recalling from time to time the 
remembrance of their actions, by setting before the mind the no- 
ble principles by which they were influenced, and by portraying 
to the imagination the glorious results to which such principles 
have led. 

The character we are called upon to contemplate to-day, pre- 
sents us with the choicest elements of greatness, so richly com- 
bined and so fully developed, that the mind hesitates in its choice, 
as undetermined which parts to select for the subject of its me- 
ditation, to the rejection of the rest. The characters of other 
Statesmen and Heroes have received their impress from the pre- 
dominance of some single excellence, but in him whose memory we 
commemorate, we find embodied in one grand whole, all the no- 
blest elements of the most exalted greatness. The contemplation 
of such a character cannot fail of exciting emotions of the most 
pleasing nature. It exalts the mind, and confers an idea of the 
superior dignity of our race. This feeling is heightened by the 
striking contrast it forms with the very opposite exhibitions of 
human character too often falling beneath our observation. We , 
gaze with delight upon the illustrious being in whom were con- 
centrated so many and such rare excellencies, and a feeling of - 
self-complacent satisfaction spontaneously arises in our mind, as 
we clairii ^ common nature with him. This emotion is the high- 



est possible when in addition to this, we can, as in the present in- 
stance hail him as our countryman. We are, as it were, identified 
with him, when the thought arises that he trod the ground we 
tread — he breathed the air we breathe — and cast the broad beam 
of his glory upon our name and nation. The pleasure experienced 
in the contemplation of such a character, is converted into ad- 
miring wonder, when we view the circumstances of his life, and 
observe the surprising fitness of the instrument for the end design- 
ed to be accomplished. It is the characteristic of a wise mind 
that it adapts proper means for the efiecting of its plans : and it 
is pre-eminently the characteristic of that Infinite Wisdom that 
rules and governs all things, that it ever makes choice of the best 
means to bring about its own wise purposes. This truth we find 
exemplified throughout the realm of nature. We may trace it 
from the crawling worm of the dust, or the ephemeral insect that 
skims through the air, up to the planets that roll through immea- 
surable space — and the wondrous laws that hold them in their 
courses. Of this same wisdom we behold a remarkable illustra- 
tion, in viewing the character of Washington. It appears in all 
the trying circumstances of his eventful life, and in the admirable 
fitness of that great man to accomplish the important work which 
Providence had assigned him. And as on the one hand it enlarges 
our conceptions of the Author of our being, to witness such match- 
less displays of his Infinite Wisdom in all the operations of his power, 
so on the other, it invests the character of our Washington with 
the highest dignity, and places it in a peculiarly interesting point 
of view, to contemplate him as the object of special interest at 
the court of Heaven — and enjoying in an eminent degree the fa- 
vor and protection of the Ruler of the Universe. It is true that 
all experience that preserving to protecting power to a certain 
extent, but it is no less true that instances do occur of more mark- 
ed and signal interpositions of it. With such instances we are 
furnished in the history of Washington. To the attentive exami- 
ner of his early life many examples are presented. I need cite but 
one, which occurred when the youthful hero was just entering 
into manhood. I refer to the disastrous battle of Monongahela in 
1755. Who can follow him through the scenes of that day and 



not wonder at the man? Who can imagine him on that bloody bat- 
tle field, the army panic-struck, dispersed and flying — the officers 
killed or wounded; and himself almost the only one uninjured, ex- 
posed to the very last to the fire of their hidden foe; and yet coming 
off" unscathed, untouched; who, I ask, can imagine such a scene and 
resist the conviction, that it was the shield of Omnipotence which 
covered his head in the day of battle — and the wisdom of the 
Holy One that was protecting and preparing him for the events 
of his after life ? " Fifteeh years after this event Washington, had 
occasion to visit the Western part of the country with a party of 
woodsmen for the purpose of exploring wild lands. "While near 
the junction of the Great Kenhawa and Ohio Rivers, a company 
of Indians came to them with an interpreter, at the head of whom 
was an aged and venerable chief. This personage made known 
to them by the interpreter, that hearing Colonel Washington was 
in that region, he had come a long way to visit him, adding, that 
during the battle of Monongahela, he had singled him out as 
a conspicuous object, fired his lifle at him many times, and direct- 
ed his young w^arriors to do the same, but to his utler astonish- 
ment none of their balls took effect. He was then persuaded the 
youthful hero was under the special guardianship of the Great 
Spirit, and ceased to fire at him any longer. He was now come 
to pay homage to the man who was the particular favorite of 
Heaven and who could never die in battle." 

When the days of sterner trial came, and the clouds of war 
and conflict, darkening and mantling, settled on our horizon, we 
see the god-like man though beset by treacherous friends and 
-open enemies, pass safely through the storm. 

In the constant scenes of peril and danger that attended the 
long and arduous struggle for Independence, he was ever fore- 
most. Indeed his great readiness to expose himself to every spe- 
cies of honorable danger, was the only complaint ever uttered 
by his soldiers against their illustrious chieftain. In a letter writ- 
ten at this time by an officer who served under him,^we find these 
words, — " Our army love their General very much, but they have 
one thing against him, viz : the little care he takes of himself in 
any action. His personal bravery, and the desire of animating 



his troops by example, make him fearless of danger. This occa- 
sions us much uneasiness. But Heaven, that has hitherto been 
his shield, will, we hope, continue to guard a life so valuable." 

Thus, whilst we look back with reverence and admiration to 
the man who led on our armies to victory, and who subsequently, 
with consummate skill guided the ship of stale, through the stormsof 
adversity, and the dangerous narrows of prejudice and party spirit, 
into the clear and open sea of prosperity and peace : we are taught 
at the same time to look beyond the instrument to its Author. We 
are led to adore the Being who gave strength to the Warrior and 
skill to the Pilot — and the wholesome lesson is enforced upon our 
minds, that the distinguished privileges and blessings we enjoy 
are received directly from the " Giver of all good," and are by 
us held only in trust. 

But though an instrument in the hands of a Superintending 
Providence for the accomplishment ol a great and glorious work, 
,yet few men were ever more emphatically the architects of their 
own characters and fortunes, than was General Washington. 
He seems early to have adopted the sentiment of the Roman au- 
thor— 

" Nil sine magno 

Vita labore dedit mortalibus," 

and to have acted upon them through life. Those great and dis- 
tinguishing qualities which have exalted him above the renowned 
of other days and nations, and riveted the gaze of an admiring 
world upon him, were not the hot-bed productions of any fortuitous 
concurrence of circumstances, but the legitimate results of the 
noblest principles early received, firmly implanted, and persever- 
ingly followed. We find a consistency in his character through- 
out, and a natural progressive expansion which fills the mind con- 
templating it with the most pleasurable emotions. It is as when 
one stands upon some mountain side and views a little crystal 
fountain that pours perennial waters forth. He follows the wa- 
ter's course and admires the verdant richness that appears along 
its banks, until the purling brook, becomes a flowing stream. 
Widening and deepening the stream rolls on, till it spreads itself 



into the shoreless ocean — and the mind is lost in wonder as it 
dwells upon the vastness of the scene before if. 

His early history presents a shining example of filial tenderness 
and devotion. It had been the first and most cherished object of 
his desire to enter the navy of his country, and try his fortune 
amid the perils of the deep. This early predilection, had so 
" grown with his growth, and strengthened with his strength" as 
almost to become a passion, the ruling passion of his soul. A situ- 
ation had even been procured for him, and his young heart was 
exulting in the prospect of speedily realizing his fondest hopes, 
when, not at the absolute request, but only the scarce uttered wish 
of his revered and widowed mother, we find him, without a 
murmur, changing entirely the strong current of his purposes, 
and nobly sacrificing on the altar of filial duty, the brightest 
dreams and expectations of his youth. It has been justly remark- 
ed that those only are qualified to command, who have first learned 
to obey. When we see, then, that the young hero of the western 
world had learned the first lesson so well, is it strange that we 
should see him practice the after one with such perfection? When 
we see him ruling his own spirit with so powerful a sway, can we 
wonder to behold him at another time, with the flag of Liberty in 
his hand, leading on the bands of freemen to victory and glory? 
or again, to see him presiding like a master-spirit in the counsels 
of the free, and securing liberty and happiness for millions yet 
unborn ? 

Another of those strongly marked traits which appears so 
conspicuous throughout the character of our Washington, is 
his untiring perseverance. This noble virtue cast a priceless 
charm over all his other excellencies. It enabled him, when the 
rare qualities of his great mind were all condensed, to bend their 
united force with untiring purpose upon any object of pursuit — 

" It won for him each god-lik<. act, and pluckt success, 
Ev'n from the spear proof crest of rugged danger." 

It was an early received maxhn with him — "To attempt nothing 
which he could not perform, but to perform whatever he attempted." 
How faithfully he adhered to this maxim, we find, when we see him 
at the age of fifteen or sixteen engage in surveying some of the wild- 



est portions of his native state,and persevering for days and weeks 
through hunger, exposure, cold, and storm, till the arduous task 
was accomplished. (See note A.) What final success crowned 
these early efforts of self-discipline, is already recorded on the 
broad page of our country's history. Good was it for the cause 
of America, and the liberty of mankind, that in the darkest hour 
of trial, when the last faint ray of hope was well-nigh extinguish- 
ed ; when the slernest cheeks were blanching, and the stoutest 
hearts were quailing ; he, on whom all eyes were turned, fainted 
not, nor faltered. The Spirit of perseverance cherished from 
youth sustained him in that hour of darkness. Its watchful en- 
ergy continued even then undiminished, and its influence turned 
the ebbing tide of fortune, leading to all the glory which followed, 
and the rich blessings that crown our happy days. 

Another bright gem in the coronet of our great chieftain's glo- 
ry, a gem too that besides its own intrinsic worth, appears the 
more brilliant because so seldom seen, was his entire subjugation 
of eveiy selfish feeling and his devotion to his country, solely for 
his country's good. We have a noble illustration of this most 
excellent and uncommon trait of character during the war with 
the French and Indians in the years 1754 and 5. We then find 
him leaving his home, at a time when his own private affairs 
greatly needed his attention, and willingly undergoing all the 
hardships and dangers of a frontier war, and this too not for price 
nor reward, but with the fullest understanding, that no recom- 
pense awaited him, save only the approval of his own conscience, 
and perhaps in aftertimes the grateful recollection of his coun- 
trymen. Nor was he always thus consistently patriotic and self- 
denying, because there wanted opportunity of exhibiting the op- 
posite character. Never was military leaders vested with fuller 
power, or afforded a greater opportunity of exalting himself, and 
not his country, than was our revered Washington. Witness the 
time when he was clothed by Congress with all save the empty 
name of Dictator. (See note B.) What a period of thrilling interest 
was that ! Can we imagine it for a moment ? The hireling minions 
of oppression, like the locusts of Egypt, have overrun the land, 
and the deathblow of liberty seems about to be struck. Congress 

B 



10 

is broken up and flying from their council board, approach the 
man in whom i-s centred all their hope. In his single hand they 
place the unlimited control of all the strength and resources of 
their prostrate, bleeding country. What is the result of this 
boundless grant of power? Does it unman the hero's soul? 
Moves there a muscle of his mildly beaming countenance? Springs 
there up a single spark of unhallowed ambition in his pure breast? 
Swerves he a haii''s breadth from the undeviating, uncompromis- 
ing path of stern integrity and patriotic duty ? No ! it was Wash- 
i\GTON they trusted; the world can tell how he merited their 
trust. 

Time would fail us even to glance at that bright catalogue of 
his excellencies which have so often adorned the poet's verse, and 
given sublimity to the happiest efforts of successful eloquence. In 
conclusion, however, we cannot but dwell for a moment on that 
trait in the character of the American Hero, which rises rain- 
bow-like above the radiance of his other virtues, the spirit of piety 
which he alwaj'^s cherished. In these days of open rebuke and 
shameless infidelity, when a respect for the sublimest truths of re- 
velation is too often considered as synonymous with meanness, or 
want of spirit, and when the 7nention of religion is too often the 
signal for derision and contempt, it is a relief, it is a pleasure, to 
be able to point to such a man as Washington, a man whose name 
stands highest on the scroll of fame, and say — There is a man 
who never feared to own his dependence on an Almighty arm; 
there is a man who was through life an humble worshipper of the 
despised Nazarene ! Among the earliest of his papers left on re 
cord, is found a set of rules drawn up for the regulation of his 
conduct ; of these one runs as follows — " Never speak of God or 
of his attributes but with serious reverence, and labor to keep 
alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called con- 
science." The excellent sentiments thus early cherished, were 
nurtured to the ripest maturity, and became the governing princi- 
ples of his conduct through the whole of after life. In the dark- 
est days of the revolution, when human strength and wisdom fail- 
ed, he felt his soul " sustained by the unfaltering trust" that a 
power Divine was enlisted in his behalf; and it is well knoMm that 



11 

it was the constant practice of this great man, to retire from the 
busy scenes of the camp, and kneeling before the Majesty of 
Heaven, implore that guidance and direction of which he felt his 
need, and ask for that success which finally crowned his efforts. 

In viewing thus tiie character of him who is justly considered 
the pride and glory of his country, we find it composed of ele- 
ments, simple in their nature, and such as are attainable by all; 
and as those qualities which were necessary, in the first instance 
to secure our liberty, are exactly such as are now required to per- 
petuate the same, our duty is plain. The richest, noblest patri- 
mony ever bequeathed to any people is to be intrusted to our hands. 
The brightest example ever displayed before the youth of any na- 
tion, is held up to our view. And can it be that we shall despise 
this example, or abuse that patrimony? O who can tell the bit- 
terness of the curse, posterity will cast upon our memory, should 
we prove recreant to our trust? Let it then be our endeavour to 
emulate the virtues of him whose birth we commemorate to-day ! 
.Let his example be our model; let us walk in his footsteps, and 
^eek to catch his spirit ! So shall we be prepared to perform with 
dignity and with faithfulness the duties we owe to our country — 
so shall they who have anxiously watched over our liberties, leave 
them with confidence in our keeping — and America shall own us 
worthy to be called her sons and the countrymen of Wash- 
ington. 



NOTES. 



NOTE A.— page 9. 

The nature of the service in which he was thus early engaged, may be inferred from 
the following extracts, taken from a rough journal kept by Washington during the 
survey, and found among his papers. This survey was made in company with his 
relative, Mr. George Fairfax, in March, 1748. 

March 13th. — Rode to his Lordship's (Lord Fairfaxe's quarter.) Aboutfour miles 
higher up the river Shenandoah, we went through most beautiful groves of sugar tree 
and spent the best part of the day in admiring the trees and the richness of the 
la/nd. 

14th. — Sent our baggage to Captai-n Hite's, near Fredricktown (afterwards Win- 
chester,) and went ourselves down the river about sixteen miles (land exceedingly 
rich all the" way, producing abundance of grain, hemp and tobacco,) in order to lay 
off some land on Gate's Marsh and Long Marsh. 

15th. — Worked hard till night, and then returned. 

18th.— Travelled to Thomas Berwich's on the Potomac, when we found the river 
exceedingly high, by reason of the great rain that had fallen among the Alleghanies. 
They told us it would not be fordable for several days, it being now six feet higher 
than usual, and rising. We agreed to stay till Monday. We this day called to see 
the famed warm Springs. We camped out in the field this night. 

20th. — Finding the river not much abated, we in the evening swam our horses over 
to the Maryland side. 

21st. — We went over in a canoe, and travelled up the Maryland side all day in a 
continued rain to Golonel Crezap's, over against the mouth of the South Branch, 
about forty miles from our place of starting in the morning, and over the worst road 
I believe ever trod by man or beast. 



14 

26th.— Left Crezap's, and went up to the mouth of Patterson's Creek. Swam our 
horses over the Potomac, and went over ourselves in a canoe, and travelled fifteen 
miles when we camped. 

26th.— Travelled up to Solomon Hedge's Esq., one of his Majesty's Justices of the 
Peace in the county of Frederic, when we camped. When we came to supper, there 
was neither a knife on the table, nor a fork to eat with, but, fortunately, we had knives 
of our own. 

28th. — Travelled up the South Branch (having come to that yesterday,) about 
thirty miles, 

29th. — This morning went out and surveyed five hundred acres of land. 
30th. — Began our intended business of laying off lots. 

April 2nd, — A blowing, lainy night. Our straw upon which we were lying, took 
fire, but it was luckily preserved by one of our men awaking when it was in a flame. 
We have run offfoiur lots this day. 

4th, — This morning Mr, Fairfax left us, with the intention to go down to the mouth 
of the river. We surveyed two lots. This day our tent was blown down by the vio- 
lence of the wind. 

6th. — The last night was so intolerably smoky, that we were obliged to leave our 
tent to the mercy of the wind and fire. 

7th. — We surveyed fifteen hundred acres of land, and returned to Vanmeter's about 
one o'clock. I took my horse and went up to see Mr. Fairfax. We slept in Cassey's 
house, which was the first night I have slept in a house since we came to the Branch. 
8th. — Breakfasted at Cassey's, and rode down to Vanmeter's to get our company 
together, which, when we had accomplished, we rode down below the Trough to lay 
oflTlots there. The Trough is a couple of hedges of mountains impassable, running 
side by side for seven or eight miles, and the river between them. You must ride 
round the back of the mountain to get below them. We camped in the woods, and 
after we had pitched our tent, and made a large fire, we pulled out our knapsack to 
recruit ourselves, Every one was his own cook. Our spits were forked sticks, and 
our plates were large chips. As for dishes we had none. 



15 



NOTE B.— page 9. 

" With all save the empty name of Dictator." 

The following account of the action of Congress, relative to the extraordinary 
powers with which Washington was invested, is taken from a volume of " Sparks' 
Writings, &c. of Washington." 

" Notwithstanding the extreme jealousy which had hitherto prevailed with most of 
the members of Congress, in regard to the danger of a military ascendency, they were 
constrained in the present alarming aspect of affairs to invest General Washington 
with very extensive powers. In relation to the army, these powers constituted him in 
all respects a Dictator, according to the Eoman sense of that term, as will appear by 
the proceedings of Congress. 

. "December 27th, 1776. This Congress having maturely considered the present 
crisis, and having perfect reliance on the wisdom vigor, and uprightness of General 
Washington, do hereby 

" Resolve, That General Washington shall be, and he is hereby, vested with full, 
ample, and complete powers to raise and collect together, in the most speedy and 
effectual manner, from any, or all of these Unifed States, sixteen battalions of infan- 
try, in addition to those already voted by Congress ; to appoint officers for said batta- 
lions of infantry ; to raise, officer, and equip three thousand light horse, three regi- 
ments of artillery, and a corps of engineers, and to estabhsh their pay ; to apply to 
any of the States for such aid of the militia as he shall judge necessary ; to form such 
magazines of provisions, and in such places as he shall think proper; to displace and 
appoint all officers under the rank of brigadier-general, and to fill up all vacancies in 
every other department in the American army ; to take wherever he may be, whatever 
he may want for the use of the army, if the inhabitants will not sell it, allowing a rea- 
sonable price for the same ; to arrest and confine persons who refuse to take the conti- 
nental currency, or are otherwise disaffected to the American cause ; and return to the 
states of which they are citizens, their names, and the nature of their offences, togeth- 
er with the witnesses to prove them. That the foregoing powers be invested in 
. General Washington, for and during the term of six months from the date hereof, un- 
less sooner determined by Congress." 

These resolves of Congress, were transmitted to Washington by the committee 
who remained in Philadelphia when the Congress adjourned to Baltimore, namely, 
Robert Morris, Clymer, and Walton. In their letter they said — 

"We find by these resolves, that your Excellency's hands will be strengthened 



16 



with very ample powers ; and a new reformation of the army seems to have its origin 
therein. Happy it is for this country, that the General of their forces can safely be 
intrusted with the most unlimited power, and neither personal security, liberty, nor 
property, be in the least degree endangered thereby." 



<fe 






